New work group to probe Oakland City Council’s ethics, accountability

Members of Councilmember Kalb’s ethics work group listen to community members voice their concerns. Photo courtesy of Danette Lambert.

Oaklanders said that they want “more teeth” and more staff strength for the Oakland Public Ethics Commission to help keep the city council ethically accountable.

The Ethics and Good Government work group, a pet project of District One Councilmember Dan Kalb, held its first official meeting, an open forum on Monday evening to invite residents’ feedback about their concerns.

A repeated complaint was a lack of manpower and authority for the Public Ethics Commission, which is technically separate from the new work group.